Many events are celebrated every year. Birthdays, holidays and even designated days to celebrate your favorite beverages, foods or desserts. While all these days are exciting in their own right, nothing compares to an anniversary you share with your special someone. Whether you’re celebrating your first or 50th, you might be inspired to go beyond the traditional dinner. Anniversaries only come around once a year, so why not take it to the next level, embark on a trip to Emerald Isle and fall in love again?
With so much to do in the area and the town being one of the most romantic destinations, celebrating and making memories that will last a lifetime comes easy. No matter how you like to bond, there are numerous ways to enjoy a couple’s vacation on the coast. If you have an anniversary coming up, here are five ideas for celebrating your anniversary in Emerald Isle.
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Find the perfect place to stay
North Carolina’s Crystal Coast is the perfect spot for a romantic beach vacation. Nothing sets the mood for romance and celebration better than miles of pristine shoreline as far as the eye can see. Add in breathtaking sunsets, luxurious accommodations and nothing on the to-do list other than rest and relaxation, and you have the makings for a very romantic vacation that won’t soon be forgotten.
Emerald Isle Realty boasts an inventory of more than 600 charming vacation properties, so booking your anniversary getaway with us is easy. The fall, winter and spring months, which make up the Crystal Coast’s off-season, are also the best times to get the best rates on the widest selection of vacation rentals.
From stunning oceanfront rentals to quaint cottages and beach houses nestled along the maritime forest, vacation rentals in Emerald Isle boast all the amenities you need, from gourmet kitchens to private pools and hot pools tubs, game rooms, not to mention the beautiful beaches just steps away. If your anniversary celebration requires the entire family, we have plenty of large rentals that will bring everyone together. We also have condos and smaller homes for a more private celebration for two.
Any one of our properties allows you to plan your romantic getaway to your liking. From candlelit dinners to sunset walks on the beach, the island is all yours to experience and enjoy with each other.
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Enjoy romantic dinners for two
Make your anniversary getaway to Emerald Isle even more memorable with an intimate dinner for two. Nothing sparks the romance more than a special night out with your sweetheart. From an afternoon picnic to enjoying some of the area’s best coastal cuisine with a water view, you will find plenty of ways to wine and dine with your loved one in Emerald Isle.
Whether it’s food lovingly prepared in your vacation rental’s gourmet kitchen or some local cuisine you grab to-go, definitely plan on a picnic while visiting some of Emerald Isle’s parks and natural landscapes.
Fort Macon State Park is great for history buffs and visitors who are looking for an area that spans far and wide with plenty of spots for setting up for a picnic. With a history dating back to the 19th century, this park is home to Fort Macon. The park now serves as a museum for this historic fort. Gazebos can be found throughout the park and are great for setting up shop for a picnic. The gazebos boast great views of Fort Macon, and after you polish off your tasty treats, you can walk off your meal on the trails or swim at the beach.
Cape Lookout National Seashore is another beachy location perfect for a quiet afternoon lunch for two. This park’s main attraction, the Diamond Lady, serves as the focal point and there are miles of shoreline spanning from the Ocracoke Inlet to the Beaufort Inlet. Cape Lookout is one of the Crystal Coast’s most scenic spots since the area has barely been untouched by major development. After exploring this natural dreamscape, relax and enjoy your lunch at one of the many picnic locations.
While the beach is often the star of the show, the coastal cuisine is a key ingredient to make your lover’s trip unforgettable. Start your day off with a delicious breakfast from Gaffer’s. The popular eatery is located right in Emerald Isle. It’s a classic neighborhood restaurant serving only the freshest seafood and homemade desserts. While many have enjoyed their surf and turf, you’ll be surprised to learn that Gaffer’s also has quite the breakfast selection. Enjoy an American classic like a two-egg breakfast or steak and eggs. Or embrace the Carolina culture and order down sound shrimp and grits.
Keep it casual for lunch and get in on some locally caught seafood prepared with an island twist. Crab’s Claw Oceanfront Caribbean Restaurant is in Atlantic Beach. This local eatery’s chef has years of experience with food, wine and pastries. Discover a new dish and experience a dessert as sweet as the memories you’ve created with your loved one over the years.
For a romantic dinner for two, experience the fine dining of Caribsea. Located in Emerald Isle, it’s ideal for enjoying a glass of wine and a delectable dish as you and your loved one share highlights from years past. After indulging in your delicious meal, head up to the Torpedo Lounge for a view of the island that you have yet to experience. The restaurant’s rooftop bar provides an exceptional setting for admiring the sunset as you sip on one of their specialty cocktails. With live music and good company, it’s the perfect way to finish the night.
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Set sail on a cruise around the coast
One of the most breathtaking ways to explore some of the Crystal Coast’s most romantic locations is on a boat cruise. Sailing around the islands of the Crystal Coast has always been a popular pastime for locals and guests alike. North Carolina’s Crystal Coast is truly a boating paradise offering endless opportunities for exploration, adventure and romance.
Lookout Cruises, located in Beaufort, North Carolina, offers daily sailing excursions on a stunning 45-foot catamaran with plenty of sun and shade. For an unforgettable experience, rise and shine and set sail on a two-hour morning Dolphin Watch up the Newport River.
If you want to experience adventure and get up close to the natural habitats of the coast, book a cruise with Crystal Coast Ecotours. This charter offers full, half-day and two-hour boat tours that are customized for an experience you won’t soon forget.
From shelling, clamming and crabbing to snorkeling and wild horse watching, Crystal Coast Ecotours will help you plan a memorable outing that you and your love will talk about for years to come.
Miss Crystal Coast Lady Cruises, also located in Beaufort, offers various narrated dining cruises perfect for any time of day. For those who want to explore the natural beauty of the coast and all it has to offer, a cruise to Cape Lookout National Seashore is the perfect choice. You could also enjoy dinner with a stunning sunset cruise. For a dinner feast, you set sail during the evening for some of the most amazing scenery and views of the colorful horizon.
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Go on a romantic journey through charming coastal towns
The Crystal Coast, which includes Emerald Isle, is known for its beautiful beaches and breathtaking sights, but it’s also known for its welcoming and inviting beach communities. Beach towns have a certain charm that you won’t find just anywhere. The Crystal Coast boasts several delightful communities, each with its own enchanting quality and features. Towns with qualities so whimsical, they inspired the picturesque settings found throughout popular romance novels written by Nicholas Sparks, a renowned author from North Carolina.
New Bern is not only the setting that inspired numerous Sparks’s novels, but it’s also the small coastal town that Nicholas Sparks has called home for many years. As the second-oldest town in North Carolina, New Bern is rich not only in beauty but also in history. New Bern offers several self-guided, themed walking tours that are popular amongst visitors, especially the Walk to Remember tour. It highlights fifteen different town landmarks mentioned in the three novels.
“A Walk to Remember” and “The Choice” are two novels by Nicholas Sparks set in the quaint and historic town of Beaufort, North Carolina. A seaport town rich in maritime history, Beaufort is the third-oldest town in North Carolina. Spend a day or more exploring the historic downtown waterfront, see historic homes, or wet your line at some great fishing spots. With so much to explore it’s easy to see why visitors are so drawn to this picturesque area.
Swansboro, North Carolina is the backdrop for Sparks’ seventh novel, “The Guardian.” Known as “Friendly City by the Sea,” Swansboro is situated at the confluence of the White Oak River and the Intracoastal Waterway. The miles of pristine coastline and unspoiled beaches make it the perfect setting for this romantic thriller.
Be sure to schedule in time to visit any of these beautiful cities. Just jump in the car and for scenic walks to remember and heartfelt memories to jot down in your notebook.Go on a romantic journey through charming coastal towns.
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Renew your wedding vows on the beach
One of the ultimate ways to celebrate your anniversary and solidify your love for one another is to renew your vows. Reconfirming the vows you took the day you both said, “I do” is more than a gesture. It’s a way to rekindle that eternal romance or make this anniversary celebration that much more memorable. The beautiful beaches of North Carolina’s Crystal Coast create a dreamy backdrop for you and your loved one. And in Emerald Isle, you’ll find plenty of wedding homes and venues.
Our Certified Wedding Planner has spent years crafting intimate ceremonies and parties for a crowd. If you decide to renew your vows, we can help you plan your special day all over again with one of our simple ceremony packages. Renewing your vows is a special ceremony that should be held for milestone anniversaries or significant events during your marriage. We hope you’ll consider us to help you plan it.
Plan your anniversary getaway to Emerald Isle today
Surprise your loved one with a trip to your favorite beach destination. You two deserve to celebrate your anniversary with equal parts love, relaxation and excitement. Plan a trip of a lifetime and be sure to explore our vacation rentals for your perfect anniversary retreat.
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